Thurs. Aug 22, 2024 edition: The renters excluded from Burnaby's tenant assistance policy

Good morning, Burnaby!

In this week’s edition, the Beacon took a thorough look into Burnaby’s tenant assistance policy. Once labeled one of the “most progressive” policies in Canada, we spoke to several people in the city facing overwhelming challenges as a result of the policy, including neglected buildings and demovictions. In other news, a Burnaby man has been charged with 23 counts of sextortion, and seniors staged a protest at the Cameron Community Centre farewell event.

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👀 In today's edition:

• Excluded from Burnaby’s tenant assistance policy

• Burnaby man charged with sextortion

• Seniors protest at Cameron Community Centre farewell event

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NEWS

Falling through the cracks: the renters excluded from Burnaby’s tenant assistance policy

In December 2019, the City of Burnaby launched its new tenant assistance policy (TAP), finalized in March 2020. In March 2020, the city released a video on YouTube and its website celebrating the policy, saying, “The policy is one of the most progressive in Canada.” 

Soon after the policy was launched however, problems started to appear.

The first was that the policy places the responsibility on the developer to compensate tenants facing eviction. Some developers and property owners began to neglect buildings and apartments, allowing mould, infestations, and other issues to go unchecked, making life unbearable for tenants. Tenants would then have no choice but to leave of their own accord, exempting the property owner from having to provide any form of assistance. 

The Beacon spoke with renters who are falling through the cracks of this tenant assistance policy.

Get the full story here.

SPONSORED BY TOURISM KELOWNA

Don't miss out on an Okanagan summer

Sun-drenched days are here and there's still plenty of time to experience an Okanagan summer. Make the most of the season by paddleboarding or kayaking on Okanagan Lake, biking along rail trails and urban surroundings, or hiking the surrounding hillsides and forests, where you can encounter the brilliance of nature just steps from the city. 

Continue the adventure exploring the region's local flavours by visiting farms and orchards, dining at farm-to-table restaurants, and savouring craft sips at wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries. 

Plan your visit now.

Burnaby Bulletin

Body found. The Burnaby RCMP says it has ruled out foul play after a body was found in the area of Canada Way near Kensington Thursday. They are currently looking into the cause of death with the BC Coroners Service. [CityNews]

Illegal distribution. A former director of a company has paid $40,000 to the B.C. Securities Commission and is banned from the investment market for 10 years for allowing the company to illegally distribute its shares and to trade in securities without being registered.

Croissant-waffle paradise. Popular Langley breakfast spot Eggbomb is coming to Burnaby by the end of August, promising an innovative dining experience that includes croissant waffles as well as an expanded dinner service. [Burnaby Now]

Booster seat safety. The Burnaby RCMP is hosting a series of free, personalized appointments with a Certified Child Safety Educator for those who have questions or need help setting up their child’s booster seat. Registration details can be found here.

A failing grade. Burnaby has recently received a failing grade on transit-oriented housing—the Goodman Report gave the city an F for its refusal to follow legislation, claiming developers are concerned about current housing projects.

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NEWS

Burnaby man charged with sextortion

A 19-year-old Burnaby man has been charged with 23 counts of sextortion involving teenage victims in several regions throughout Canada, including Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario. 

Anwer Jelassi, the Burnaby resident charged with the crimes, was the subject of a Burnaby RCMP search warrant of his home in January 2023. He was recently charged with 23 offences which include extortion, possessing, making and publishing child pornography and publishing intimate images without consent, among others.

“Online sexual extortion is a crime that has had tragic outcomes,” said corporal Max Gagné of the Burnaby RCMP Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Unit (CASO) in a statement. “We want to remind victims that they are not alone and that we are here to help them and hold offenders to account. If you have been victimized by this type of crime, please report it to the police.”

Get the full story here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Seniors protest at Cameron Centre farewell event

Members of the seniors’ badminton club at Cameron Community Centre organized a small protest during the community centre’s farewell event on Saturday, August 17. The city organized the event to celebrate 40 years of Cameron Community Centre before its official closure and redevelopment, a $267M project. 

Around 15 seniors gathered beside the mayor’s podium in the Cameron Community Centre parking lot and held signs saying “Save Our Senior Badminton Club” and “Equality for Seniors.” 

“The city won’t let us keep the clubs; they tell us to go to the drop-in,” said club member and protester Daniel To. “We are 70 and over; some are even 90 years old. How are we going to play with the drop-ins? No one is going to play with us.”

Read more about the protest here.

Where to eat & drink

🍛 Patsara Thai. This cozy, warm nook enshrined with gold decorations is home to delicious Thai food in New West. The chef’s daily recommendations are always a great way to go—in the spotlight today is barbecue chicken, grilled pork ribs and stir fried seafood with curry—but everything looks good here, from the tom kah soup to the sweet sticky rice with durian.

🍨 La Foret. With two locations in Burnaby, La Foret is an all-for-one breakfast, lunch and dinner cafe serving a wide variety of pastries, hot dishes and drinks. Suitable for any occasion, visitors can find anything here from grilled paninis and salads to fresh waffles and bingsoo.

🍺 The Great Bear Pub. A classic neighbourhood pub serving up platters of nostalgia in the form of nachos, stuffed potato skins and hot dips as well as all our favourite pub mains like burgers, wraps and fish and chips. Be on their lookout for their daily features—different drinks, appetizers and mains are on special each day of the week.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Order Picker & Packer at Horizon Grocery

• Beauty Boutique Manager at Shoppers Drug Mart

• Field Service Representative at Arjo

• Store Sales Associate at Running Room

• Temporary Beauty Advisor at Sephora

• Telenurse at Healthlink BC

• Admissions Advisor at Sprott Shaw College

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Afro Vibes Thursdays. 10pm. Lounge Sixty.

• Board Game Club. 2pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Tonya K: Beauty Shop Dolls. 2pm. Confederation Park.

Friday

• Nintendo Trivia Night. 6:30pm. The Rec Room.

• Summer Cinemas: Wonka. 8:15pm. Burnaby Civic Square.

• Nature Immersion & Photo Walk. 6:30pm. Central Park.

• Blood Donation Event. 12pm-6:45pm. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

Saturday

• Annual Community Picnic & Contra Dance. 12pm-5:30pm. Central Park.

• Taste of Manila. 10am-6pm. Central Park.

• Wagashi Workshop. 11am. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

• Freaky Tiki Pineapple Party. 6pm. Location details here.

• Jazz Cats Social: Dean and the Good Apples. 6:30pm. Century House @ Moody Park.

Sunday

• Burnaby Lake Run. 7:30am. 3760 Sperling Ave.

• Nikkei Garden Farmers Market. 10am. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

• North Burnaby Mending Circle. 4pm. Cranberry Common Housing.

Monday

• Paint Nite. 7pm. Wings Burnaby.

• Women in Business Showcase. 4pm. Burnaby Public Library.

Tuesday

• Summer Art Studio. 3pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Introduction to Teaching with Canvas. 11am. Online via Zoom.

Wednesday

• Self Love and Heart Healing Meditation Soundbath. 7pm. Savasana Meditation.

• Summer Fun & Speed Networking. 5:30pm. Central Park.

• Willingdon Community Fair & Movie Night. 5pm. Willingdon Community Centre.